Hydropneumatic massager



Feb. 9, 1954 L. .1. STEINBERG HYDROPNEUMATIC MASSAGER Filed Oct. 15, 1951 IN V EN TOR.

LEON JOSEF STEINBERG ATTORNEY Patented Feb. 9, 1954 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 1 Claim.

This invention relates to massaging apparatus and more particularly to a portable type of hydropneumatic therapeutic unit adapted for use in connection with a bath or its equivalent, and a shower device or water service.

The customary method of massaging the body of an indivdual requires the use of mechanical devices applied exteriorly to the person, and is more or less radical in its operation. This class of operation is not applicable in many instances where the situation requires less strenuous application. In other instances water is applied from special nozzles under pressure directly against the body. This invention employs an arrangement that applies water, but not alone. The water under pressure is combined with air sucked in by an injection process, so that when it impinges against the body of an individual it acts with a cushioning action. This is due to the disseminated distribution of the air bubbles throughout the ejected stream of water from the orifice of the invention. The combined water and air hit directly on the body of the patient or pass into the water filling the bath, and stir it up around him.

The invention has for an object to provide a new and improved massaging unit that will avoid one or more of the disadvantages and limitations of the prior art.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved massaging unit that will employ a mixture of air and water for its massaging action.

A further object of the invention is to provide a new and improved massaging unit of a portable nature that can be readily adjusted to a position on the walls of a bath and the incidential shower equipment installed therewith.

' An additional object of the invention to facilitate bubbling action in the bath if bubble ingredients are used.

Other objects of the invention will be apparent as it is more completely detailed.

For an illustration of the invention, its principles and operation, reference is made to the accompanying drawings. These drawings indicate a particular form of the invention by way of example, not of limitation, and are explained in the following description. This description portrays the construction presented and indicates the ieatures that are conspicuously inherent in it. The claim is also appended to comprehend the scope of the invention.

In the drawings:

Figure l. is a view in perspective of a hydropneumatic massage unit embodying this invention; without a nozzle attachment;

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the nozzle block used in this embodiment;

Figure 3 is a sectional detail of the corner section of the nozzle block where the water and air ducts meet in a common orifice to discharge toether in a combined stream of water with air entrapped in it, with a nozzle indicated in dotted outline; and

Figure 4 shows two preferred types of nozzles mounted on the nozzle block and partly in section to indicate the manner of attaching them in place when used.

Similar. reference numerals pertain to the same parts throughout the drawings.

In this particular form, a clamp is employed for attachment to the upper edge portion of a bath tub It. To do so the clamp has an inverted U-shaped structure with downward front and rear parallel walls I I and I2 respectively and a joining web I3. From the upper surface of the web I3 extends an inverted L-shaped bracket I4. This bracket has an elongated slot I! passing vertically through its curved upper arm It in which a post I5 extends to a position belowor adjacent to the level of the clamp walls. This post I5 is adjustably held in the arcuate bracket arm I 8 by means of a washer with nuts It threadably positioned on it, above and below the horizontal arcuate arm I8 of the bracket. At the same time, the post can be axially rotated in the slot or tilted to an angle with the vertical plane. This provides considerable flexibility to the .positioning of. the post and the parts supported on it. An adjustable clamp screw I3 threadably passing through the wall I I is tightened against the bath ID tomake it hold securely. In addition it has an adjustable pad 2| on its end to enable it-to fit properly against the bath tub, and a wheel handle 20 to tighten it.

A nozzle block 22 preferably of rectangular contour is attached to the post I5 by means oi lugs 23- of sleeve form arranged to slide along the post. Set screws 24 are provided-lathe lugs to fasten them to the post in any longitudinal position selected for the block as well as for axial rotation. The block 22 is provided with a pair of ducts extending longitudinally therethrough, one of which is an air channel 25 while the other is a water channel 26. They terminate adjacent each other at an ejector orifice 2l adjacent the bottom of the block and the angular plane 28 left by the lack of a corner at this portion of the block. The ducts 25 and 26 meet at the corner opposite to that of the open end OI the air duct. When the water passes through the water duct under pressure andccrossescthe.

lower open end of the air duct, itsdrawsinthe ihe air and mixes intimately with the latter.

water mixed with air flows inuastreamsintocthe-1 water in the bath and stirs the latter. In, oni e instances the block can be placed adjacent the body of the user and the water and air squirted directly against mm. The water may beyaried from hot to cold depending-on the-pur-pose -for which it is to be used at the moment. The use of nozzles on the block atthe-orifice is optional, depending on circumstances;

The purpose of the unit andits distribution oi: the; rnixed-airandwateris for the treatment or individuals byhydro-pneun iatic therapy. Be-. cause of 'the'apprecia-ble-capacity of water for absorbing heat and of its slow cooling; it-is a valuable r'nedi-um forapplying heat or absorbing same; Its-ten perature-can be-kept under con trol andmeasuredreadily-.- The device is par ticularly used in the treatment of arthritis, sprains, local-painsand' aches-where a moist heat and massage aredesirable.

On thejangular -planeia a corner. piecectdtis fastened-by screws i t-to tor-man extension; The corner piece is drilled and ta'ppedior anozsleBE, which has a singlehole31 through it for the stream of water and air to'projectc .A screen-noes zle 38*mayalsobe ernployedtinstead, if the.con.. ditions make it desirable. The. nozzles are made replaceablebyproviding hollowscrew..- threaded: stems 38 extending from.thematrthecbacki The placing of the-corner piece. on thezbloclccovers. the orifice -21 and leavesa recessoyen it :to direct 1 the water-into thecstem 38.x..which, inturn, through itsinterior passage carriesthe .watemto; the nozzle to be sprayedby theilatter.

Thewccmbinedi action of. theaheatr and the; gentle. swirling mechanical:action;producedaby. the. mixedair and water.- .1 inflow as well as the; softening. effect of the whirlinggwaterzot the; bath about thebcdy,,soonproduces 1a: noticeableefieot. After fifteen minutes. the; skin :andwfies'h; become pink. and warm and the circulation of blood and i ody. .fiuidsin the: vicinity. oiapnlicatiorris pref.- motede he.-. n lei;3s;..meunted on t e; nozzle. blccsis .m ende l fo' use f the op rator when. he wants to no r e uni herdericer s lain c nstr .t e i.-an n en ide feb vmc ac mne tthenstn e cu rnenn r ouslr sd fere m rreur escs V tioning of the block by means of ,the, handle,

, umber-.1

vidual with case. It can be adjusted vertically or axially to suit his needs all without extensive instruction or attention. It can be made available at an economical cost, whereas the conventional equipment used in hospitals would be a prohibitive expense to the average patient. There is practically nothing to get out of order and the structure of the device is such that it wi her a. sei i life or onereriod... There are no moving; parts toget .out;.;ofgorder. It can be made of attractive design and materials and when not in use it may be packed away in a small space.

While but one general form of the invention is sl cwn in the drawings and described in the specification, it is not desired to limit this applicaoaier.-satent to thia form, as it s appreciated that other forms of construction could bemade-that would use the same principles and come Within the scope of the appended claim.

Having. thus described r-the;inventionawhatris claimed: is;

A hydrotherapy apparatus-1 usable v-: .in,.7comm bination with a bath. tub,;. comprisinga-. portable; block. a handle secured to said blcclr-onsoneifacec thereof; said block. having.-=an.=.ob lique --face1 at; a corner thereof opposed to; the; locationgofz;the; handle whereby saidsblqcl meni ecmani ulatedv y a-ns f he n eu o. widen the obliquer.

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